Oxygen as a Heteroatom in Propargylic Alcohols: Reactivity, Selectivity, and Applications

Synthesis of α-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds under metal-free conditions

An efficient synthesis of α-sulfenylated carbonyl compounds from propargylic alcohols and aryl thiols under heating conditions is described. The method is characterized by mild conditions, simple operation, metal-free catalysis and good functional group tolerance. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction involves a radical pathway and an isomerization process.

Diastereoselective Generation of C2-Azlactonized 2H-Chromenes via Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Oxo-Cyclization of Propargyl Alcohols

A new Brønsted acid-catalyzed oxo-cyclization of propargyl alcohols with azlactones to synthesize C₂-azlactonized 2H-chromenes has been established that uses 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diyl hydrogen phosphate (BiNPO₄H) as the catalyst and gives excellent diastereoselectivities (≥19:1 dr) in most cases. This protocol has a high compatibility with various substituents of substrates, offering a catalytic and useful entry to the fabrication of the synthetically important C₂-functionalized 2H-chromene scaffold.